Wicklow among world’s best for a Big Mac

A McDonald’s restaurant in Wicklow has been hailed as one of the five coolest McDonald’s in the world.

The survey undertaken by USA Today describes the Bray branch as picturesque and historic, naming it number five on the worldwide list.

The building also houses the town hall and dates from the 19th century.

The newspaper said: “McDonald’s has once again found a home in a historic building. The walk-up restaurant looks a tad out of place in such a pastoral location, but with a location right inside the town hall, they’ve certainly figured out the most central location in the city.”

The top honour went to the town of Taupo in New Zealand where the restaurant has “the honour of being home to the only McDonald’s location that includes a decommissioned DC3 plane as part of the store” complete with seats inside the plane where people can eat.

Number two is a Georgian mansion in New York that dates to 1795 and is described as “one of the most beautiful McDonald’s restaurants in the US”.

McDonald’s originally purchased the house in New Hyde Park with the intention of tearing it down and building a standard restaurant, but locals grouped together and won landmark status for the residence, meaning its façade could not be touched.

The marble and mosaic- filled McDonald’s close to the Spanish Steps in Rome also features on the list. It is entered through a Perugina Baci chocolate shop and, according to the judges, “tries to blend into its very European surroundings, and succeeds”.

Also featured on the list is Roswell, New Mexico, an area known for its UFO sightings.